1. Of things that exist, some are in our own power, some are not in our own power. Of things that are in our own power are our opinions, impulses, pursuits, avoidances, and, in brief, all that is of our own doing. Of things that are not in our own power are the body, possessions, reputation, authority, and, in brief, all that is not of our own doing. And the things that are in our own power are in their nature free, not liable to hindrance or embarrassment, while the things that are not in our own power are strengthless, servile, subject, alien.
1. Some things are within our control, and some are not. We control our opinions, impulses, what we pursue, and what we avoid. In short, we control everything that is our own doing. We do not control our bodies, possessions, reputation, or authority. In short, we do not control anything that is not our own doing. Things within our control are naturally free. They cannot be blocked or obstructed. Things outside our control are powerless, enslaved, subject to others, and not our own.
2. Remember, then, if you hold things by their nature subject to be free, and things alien to be your proper concern, you will be hampered, you will lament, you will be troubled, you will blame Gods and men. But if you hold that only to be your own which is so, and the alien for what it is, alien, then none shall ever compel you, none shall hinder you, you will blame no one, accuse no one, you will not do the least thing unwillingly, none shall harm you, you shall have no foe, for you shall suffer no injury.
2. Remember, then, what happens if you treat things naturally subject to control as free. If you also treat what belongs to others as your own concern, you will face obstacles. You will grieve, you will be troubled, and you will blame gods and people. But if you treat only what is truly yours as your own, and everything else as belonging to others, things change. No one will ever force you to act, and no one will hold you back. You will blame no one and accuse no one. You will not do even the smallest thing against your will. No one will harm you, and you will have no enemy, because you will suffer no injury.
3. Aiming, then, at things so high, remember that it is no moderate passion wherewith you must attempt them, but some things you must utterly renounce, and put some, for the present, aside. For if, let us say, you aim also at this, to rule and to gather riches, then you are like, through aiming at the chief things also, to miss these lower ends; and shall most assuredly miss those others, through which alone freedom and happiness are won. Straightway, then, practice saying to every harsh appearance—Thou art an Appearance and not at all the thing thou appearest to be. Then examine it, and prove it by the rules you have, but first and above all by this, whether it concern something that is in our own power, or something that is not in our own power. And if the latter, then be the thought at hand: It is nothing to Me.
3. When aiming at such high goals, remember that you cannot pursue them with only moderate commitment. You must give up some things completely and set others aside for now. Suppose you also aim to gain power and wealth. By also pursuing the highest goals, you are likely to miss these lesser ones. And you will certainly miss the higher goals, through which alone freedom and happiness are won. So begin at once to practice saying to every troubling impression, You are only an impression, not what you appear to be. Then examine it and test it against the rules you have. First and above all, ask whether it concerns something within our control or something beyond our control. If it is beyond our control, keep this thought ready: It is nothing to me.